I run the UK’s most famous pub — one moment changed everything

In a charming hamlet that sits right on the beach is the iconic pub,the Ty Coch Inn. It is one of the most photographed pubs in the UK and was even voted the world’s third best beach bar in 2013. A few weeks ago it was propelled into the limelight again with the Sunday Times naming it one of the UK’s top 10 “best proper” pubs.

Crowds pour into Porthdinllaen relentlessly, tempted by its reputation year-round, with a surge in visitors during spring and summer eager to experience this unique spot where thousands gather to bask in its seaside glory.

A pub on a beach is already an irresistible draw, but combine that with breath-taking views and you have an unparalleled attraction. Nestled along the northern coast of Gwynedd in north-west Wales, those views not only include the sea and stunning Llyn peninsula (that’s the section of northwestern Wales that pokes out into the Irish Sea like an extended finger) but also views of the Eryri (Snowdonia) mountains across Cardigan Bay.

This location isn’t just beautiful; its roots delve deep into history, tracing back to the Iron Age. And a couple of centuries ago, Porthdinllaen operated as a thriving fishing port and was once in contention with Holyhead to establish itself as the principal gateway to Ireland.

The pivotal moment came in May 1806: Porthdinllaen appeared poised to surpass Holyhead, as new buildings were approved by a parliamentary bill in the village. While Porthdinllaen was nearly as far west as Holyhead, the latter ultimately had the advantage due to its better accessibility, facilitated by Thomas Telford’s road developments on the island of Ynys Môn, reports Wales Online.

The Porthdinllaen Harbour Company was founded in 1808 with high hopes but the bill to designate the village as a harbour for Irish trade was turned down in 1810. Despite this setback, the village, on the northern coast of the Llyn, with its sheltered north-facing bay, evolved into a significant refuge harbour and a bustling port.

In the year 1861 alone, over 700 ships sailed through the port. However, during violent storms on December 2 and 3 in 1863, around 18 ships seeking shelter in Porthdinllaen bay were driven ashore and wrecked. Robert Rees of Morfa Nefyn, tied a rope around his waist and, with the help of four other men, managed to rescue a total of 28 lives.

After the storms, the local parish priest penned a letter to the RNLI, requesting a lifeboat be stationed in the harbour. The boatshed and slipway were commissioned in 1864 at a cost of £140. Porthdinllaen, pristinely preserved and rich in natural beauty, has been under the ownership of the National Trust since 1994. Today, the village consists of only a handful of buildings.

To reach this place, visitors have to walk nearly a mile across Traeth Porthdinllaen (Porthdinllaen Beach).

While Porthdinllaen is a popular destination for many, it’s actually home for a tiny few. Ty Coch Inn’s landlord, Stuart Webley, has called this place his home his “entire life” and has been a fixture of the pub since before he was even born. His parents took over the establishment in 1968, and their only son, Stuart, arrived on the scene a decade later.

Now 46, he fondly recalls his first memory at the bar, humorously remembering “swigging Guinness at the end of the bar” as a baby.

Stuart began his tenure at the pub at just 15 years old. After his father’s passing, his mother assumed the role of landlady until Stuart stepped up to the plate. “It’s not a job, it’s a way of life,” he passionately declares. “This place means everything to me.”

In 2003, at the tender age of 25, Stuart took the helm of Ty Coch Inn, with his mother acting as his steadfast support. Despite his familiarity with the pub from his youth and his time working there as a teenager, assuming control was still a “daunting” prospect for him.

“You’re taking over your parents’ business,” he said, acknowledging the weight of expectation from regulars. “There’s a lot of customers who expect a lot. I know for a fact that some people were worried when I took over. I wasn’t the most well behaved young man, so people were a bit nervous.”

However, the pub’s fortunes took a dramatic turn when it was named the third best beach bar on the planet in 2013, making headlines all over the world.

“That changed the game completely,” said Stuart. “We had to adapt to survive and then we adapted [again] when Covid-19 came round, and that was for the better.”

Stuart highlighted that the most significant change has been the addition of an outdoor bar at Ty Coch Inn, effectively doubling the pub’s trading area. The establishment also boasts a comprehensive menu, positioning itself as not just a great spot for a drink, but also a perfect place for a meal.

When he’s not serving drinks, Stuart operates his own reggae sound system. Over the past two decades, the landlord has occasionally hosted beach parties at Ty Coch Inn. Currently, Stuart employs 20 staff members, including three full-time and 17 part-time employees, all residing in the nearby area.

“The best part of running this pub is the people,” he said. “The people that work here are like my family. I was brought up as an only child in this pub, so all of the staff when I was a kid became my brothers and sisters. I’ve carried that ethos with me to this day. I treat my staff as if they were family. If you ask any of them, they’ll tell you I’m not that bad of a boss!”

The business has flourished, attracting an ever-growing number of visitors. While Porthdinllaen has drawn comparisons to Bondi in Australia and Hout Bay in South Africa, the village has carved out its reputation as a must-visit destination.

Stuart credits the rise in popularity to the influence of social media.

“I rarely post on social media,” he admitted. “I have all these TikTokers and influencers coming here, doing that walk round the corner. We have people from Manchester, Liverpool, America, France. We are international.”

Under Stuart’s stewardship, the pub has soared to heights that perhaps even he hadn’t expected.

“I’m really proud of this place,” he confessed. “I’m quietly proud though, I don’t like to get carried away. I’ll just let everyone else do the talking instead of me. My dad would not have recognised this business now, but my mum sees it as it is and respects it.”

Intrigued about any grand plans for the pub’s future, Stuart simply grinned and teased: “You’ll just have to find out. Everything is tightly under wraps at the moment. But all I can say is that 2025 is our biggest year yet.”